Module 2: Brief History of Health Services Research (Page 6 of 40)

Health Care Policy and Economics

A similar level of political upheaval did not exist in the United States at this time. Labor organizations developed under a more conservative leadership during the early 20th Century and were less involved in issues of social reform, such as health insurance.

Most health care delivery systems were private; there was not the same tradition of social support for health care that existed in Europe. Even when the government established the Public Health Service in 1912, it limited its power and authority.

The Progressive movement fought for social insurance during this time; however, WWI and the post-War "red" scare diverted attention from its campaign.

More About the U.S. Public Health Service

The image to the left shows an exterior view of the Old Butler Building, the early home of the Public Health Service (PHS). The PHS was formed by the passage of an Act by the U.S. Congress in 1798 that provided for the care and relief of sick and injured merchant seamen.

It came into its own during and after World War I when its commissioned officers were given the responsibility of working with local health departments to keep the areas around military training camps free from disease, especially venereal disease. (Web site)

After the war PHS was given the responsibility for the care of all returning veterans. This responsibility was later transferred to the Veterans Bureau in 1921.

The Hill-Burton Act authorized PHS to make grants to the states for surveying their hospitals and public health centers and for planning construction of additional facilities, and to assist in this construction.

The PHS expanded its efforts in the area of industrial hygiene, radiation and toxic chemicals, water pollution and other environmental areas, including reducing the number of rats (as shown in the accompanying image).

Bureau of Indian Affairs Becomes the Indian Health Service

In 1955, under Hill-Burton, PHS became fully responsible for the health of American Indians and built hospitals in remote areas for Native American patients. In that same year all Indian health programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) were transferred to PHS and became the Indian Health Service (IHS).